00:00:15.82  >> All right, people. Let's get started. Now, the reason I brought you in today is because advertising revenues have been declining steadily in the last six months. In fact, we're down about 14% from where we were last year at this time, and that's with the economy booming. People, we've got to turn this around. Now, I've been thinking, and I've decided what we're going to do. First off, you're spending far too much time in the office. I want you out on the street looking for those new clients about 60% of your time. And we're going to initiate an accounting system so I can keep track of where you are. Also, I want you calling on at least five new potential clients every week. Now, name me one potential client that you can call on this week. Frances?
00:00:58.67  >> Well, there's that new copy place going into the vacant building on the corner of Fremont and Grand. I'll stop by there.
00:01:06.30  >> Good. Sarah?
00:01:08.02  >> Um, that bicycle shop on East High Street that used to advertise with us. Ben was a salesman before he left. I can stop in and see why they stopped advertising with us. Maybe I can talk the owner into a display ad for Sunday.
00:01:21.18  >> All right. Who's next? Trisha?
00:01:33.91  >> Okay, people. Let's get started. Now, the reason I brought you in today is because advertising revenues for the paper have been declining steadily in the last six months. Besides that, we're down about 14% from this time last year, and that's with the economy booming. Now, we've got to turn that around. I've got some ideas about what we need to do, but I want to hear from you all and get your input, and see if maybe there's something I'm missing. What do you think we could be doing that would change that situation? Frances?
00:02:04.06  >> My biggest problem is finding the time to develop new business. One of the things that slows me down a lot is this new computer system.
00:02:13.13  >> Mm-hmm.
00:02:14.11  >> Because the forms are not arranged in a logical way, they take twice the time to complete.
00:02:18.79  >> I agree completely. We're completely duplicating our reporting information, putting it in once into the computer and then once out on the form. If we could simply enter the data once into the computer, and then print it it out on the form, we'd all save a lot of time.
00:02:31.99  >> So, what I'm hearing is, if we could just ask for that computer input, get the printout, we'd be saving a lot of time, freeing up time.
00:02:39.18  >> Yes.
00:02:39.30  >> You bet.
00:02:39.55  >> Okay. I think we can get that arranged. I will talk to Accounting and see if we can't get that system changed. Now, what are you gonna do with the free time?
00:02:48.32  >> On my way into work the past few weeks, I've noticed a bunch of small businesses moving in that new mall area on the south side of town. A special promotion featuring all of them in one ad would be a great idea. I just haven't had time to think about putting together a creative proposal. If that work-duplication problem is fixed, I'll be able to do that.
00:03:04.95  >> Okay. Are you talking about a special supplement?
00:03:08.07  >> Yes, one that would feature the new mall when it's ready to open.
00:03:11.50  >> Okay. You know, we could probably do that "in progress" edition in February. That would save us a little time now, and give us some time to work on that project. Good. Okay. What else can we do that's going to save us some time?
00:03:24.92  >> Well, I'm concerned that we spend a lot of time on the phone doing things our secretaries could easily do. For instance, I work with the car dealers, and the only thing they have to do are change the specific prices and the cars on their layouts. I don't need to be the one on the phone taking care of that information. If our staff could do that, I could go outside the office and take care of some new business.
00:03:46.27  >> You know, Trisha, I'm really glad to hear you talking about getting out of the office. I think that's where it's at. We don't get out there and make those calls, how are we gonna do any sales? Let's see if we can think of any other ways that we can free up time and get out of the office.
00:04:08.71  >> Okay, let's get started. Now, the reason I asked you in today is because we have a problem. Advertising revenues are down significantly in the last six months. In fact, we're down about 14% from this time last year, and that's with the economy booming. Now, the bosses are on me. We've got to figure out something to do to turn this around. What do you guys think?
00:04:30.73  >> I think I'm chained to my desk. I can't break loose to develop new business. The new computer system -- it takes twice the time it should. You have to do things twice. The forms are not logical, and they cannot be printed from the computer information.
00:04:48.15  >> Right. In fact, we're duplicating all of our reporting information. I want to be able to enter the data into the computer once, and then simply print it out on the forms in any order that Accounting needs it. Does anybody want to go down to Accounting to get the forms changed?
00:05:02.08  >> Yes, I'll go with you.
00:05:03.69  >> You know, if we cut our paperwork time in half, maybe I'll be able to find time to drum up some new business. A big promotional ad for the businesses going in that new mall on the south side of town would be a great idea. I just haven't had a spare moment to put together a creative proposal.
00:05:17.18  >> Hey, that would be a good idea for the "progress" edition in February. I can work together with you on that, Scott.
00:05:23.15  >> You know, we aren't using the abilities of our secretaries, either. A lot of the stuff that we take care of is information that they could handle. They just need a little training. Anyone want to work on a training plan?
00:05:32.35  >> Sure.
00:05:33.22  >> Well, great. You guys have got some ideas, now run with them. Let me know what you come up with.
00:05:37.70  >> Okay.